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Black Sabbath triple winners at London’s classic rock honors

BLACK SABBATH: The band announces plans to extend its tour. Photo: Associated Press

Reunited rockers Black Sabbath were triple winners at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour awards in London on Thursday night, but terminally ill Wilko Johnson was the event’s hero.

The 66-year-old former Dr. Feelgood guitarist, who was told by doctors that he would not live past October after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, took to the stage to collect the night’s Innovator Award and joked, “I’m supposed to be dead now.”

The rocker, who hopes to have time to record one more album with The Who star Roger Daltrey, told the audience at the ceremony that he has never felt more “vividly alive” after accepting his latest award from fellow musician Jimmy Page at the London Roundhouse.

Meanwhile, Ozzy Osbourne and his bandmates collected the Living Legend Award and the Best Album prize for their comeback release “13.” They also claimed the Event of the Year trophy for taking the album to number one on the British charts.

The triple win came hours after Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler announced plans to extend their reunion tour into 2014.

Other winners included The Rolling Stones, who claimed the Best Band prize, and Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and late blues legend Rory Gallagher.

The full list of winners is:

The Living Legend Award – Black Sabbath
Event Of The Year – Black Sabbath go to number one
Breakthrough Award – Virginmarys
The Musicians’ Union Maestro – James Dean Bradfield
Tommy Vance Inspiration Award – Rory Gallagher
Outstanding Contribution – Mott the Hoople
Classic Album – “Blues Breakers” With Eric Clapton by John Mayall
VIP Award – Shep Gordon
Metal Guru – Zakk Wylde
Best New Band – The Temperance Movement
Album Of The Year – “13” by Black Sabbath
Reissue Of The Year – “Rumours” (35th anniversary edition) by Fleetwood Mac
Film Of The Year – “Celebration Day” by Led Zeppelin
Band Of The Year – The Rolling Stones
Spirit Of Prog – Alex Lifeson
The Showmen – The Darkness
Innovator – Wilko Johnson.